Our Opinion: Time is right for chamber of commerce to reboot

Thursday

Jan 23, 2014 at 1:03 AMJan 23, 2014 at 9:52 AM

The departure of Steward Sandstrom from the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce opens the door to some real opportunity for the organization to retool and refresh itself this year — especially with unemployment and job creation hot topics in the 2014 gubernatorial election.

Sandstrom had been chief executive of the business organization since 2012 after he was chosen from a national search. He and the chamber “came to the decision to part ways,” effective immediately, on Friday, according to chamber chairman Tom Fitch.

No one has said outright what the problem was, but based on comments from other community leaders about Sandstrom’s departure, it seems clear the relationships that are so critical to business development and retention just weren’t there.

That’s not an indictment of Sandstrom’s fitness as a chamber executive. But let’s face it — if personalities don’t click, it can be tough to accomplish much.

The chamber already is moving in a new direction, with plans to shift its focus to supporting local businesses — a good move in light of the slow economic recovery, Springfield’s jobless numbers, the changing landscape of state government, and growth of the local health care sector.

It also intends to search locally for a new chief executive, rather than seek candidates from elsewhere in the country. Outsiders often bring enthusiasm and new ideas, but in this case, it’s understandable that the chamber wants to try looking locally for leadership.

“There’s a tremendous amount of business talent here in Springfield. At the end of the day, we want somebody who knows Springfield inside and out,” Fitch said.

The chamber’s search committee also should look for a few other qualities in its new leader. It needs someone who is truly interested in the Springfield community and the work that needs to be done to attract and retain businesses. But it also needs someone who understands that the chamber — a longstanding, highly regarded community organization — has a role to play in addressing other community issues, such as education quality, poverty and racial disparities.

It needs someone who understands the west side of Springfield is not the only part of the city that requires support and attention. And it needs a leader who is willing to be visible, be heard and be the city’s No. 1 cheerleader.

Now is an excellent time for the chamber to pause, rethink its mission and reboot.